3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?

Subject: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Áine
Date: 25 May 02 - 11:24 AM

Hey pickers!

I'm learning a new song in 3/4 - a moderate waltz time - and I'm having trouble coming up with a 'new' pattern for it. I keep falling into the same one I've been using for a while, so --

I just thought I'd ask if any of you more experienced players could recommend an interesting fingerpicking pattern for this kind of tempo, or maybe suggest your favorite one.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Giac
Date: 25 May 02 - 12:57 PM

Áine, I'm not "experienced," but I learned this from somebody or other in the early 60s and I've worn it out for 40 years. Works great on songs like, uh, well, Silkie, for instance.

The thumb alternates on the bass strings, does runs, etc.

T, 1, 2, 1, T, 1, T, 1, 2, 1, T, 1

The count is one and two and three and one and two and ...

~:o)- Mary

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 May 02 - 02:45 PM

Depends on what sounds good with the song, of course, but have you ever tried triplets? For example:—

Thumb alternates between bass strings, each finger plays the same string each time (although you can experiment with that).

T, 1, 2, T, 1, 2, T, 1, 2 / T, 1, 2, T, 1, 2, T, 1, 2 / etc. Another one is

T, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, T, 1, 2 / T, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, T, 1, 2 / etc.

Nice flowing effect. Good for some songs, maybe a bit to "sweet" for others.

Don Firth

first line corrected by mudelf ;-)

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 May 02 - 02:49 PM

Whoa! That first pattern should start out T, 1, 2, not T, 2, etc. Sorry!

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Don Firth
Date: 25 May 02 - 02:53 PM

Or you can turn the finger part upside down:-- T, 2, 1, T, 2, 1, T, 2, 1, etc.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: khandu
Date: 25 May 02 - 08:09 PM

I do not have a good working knowledge of musical language, but I will attempt to make this clear.

Let's use the "A" chord (EAEADbE) for the example.

For each 1-2-3 count, you will actually be hitting 6 notes. The thumb will alternate between the lower A and E and will also be strike the middle E.

Now, on the one count, the thumb strikes the lower A followed by the middle E. On the two count, the first finger strikes middle A followed by the second finger striking Db. On the third count , the first finger strikes middle A followed by the thumb striking middle E.

The pattern for the next three count is the same except for the thumb striking the lower E as the first note rather than the lower A.

Depending on your level, this may seem awkward and take a bit of time to learn to do smoothly, but it is worth the effort.

This creates a "flowing" sound, and does not leave "empty" spaces.

Personally, I hate to fingerpick waltzes, but sometimes, it is required.

khandu

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Jeri
Date: 25 May 02 - 09:57 PM

I've been messing around, but haven't learned any actual tunes. I like to play the "1" beat with a lower string at the same time. Sometimes I double-up on "3" too. Lessee if I can do an example of each. (You know, it ain't easy to type with a thumbpick on!)

  Am             G
  |----------0--|------------
  |--0-1--------|--0------0--
  |--|----2-----|-----0------
  |--|----------|---------0--
  |--0----------|--2---------
  |-------------|------------

So what is the picking pattern you're tired of? I'm new at this stuff, and I may not know THAT one!

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Áine
Date: 26 May 02 - 09:51 AM

Oh Jeri, I'm sure you know this pattern:

T, 1, 2, 3, T, 1 (count: 1 and 2 and 3 and), which I change to T, 3, 2, 1, T, 1 with chords that are repeated in a bar. This is your basic 'guitar book' 3/4 pattern. This is a good one to use if you're going to insert hammer-ons and/or pull-offs in your playing.

Sometimes I use the above pattern and play this one in the same song, too -- T, 1, 3, T, 2, 1.

I've been trying to use this pattern, but I haven't nailed it yet -- T, 3, T, 1, T, 2. It's a modification of a 4/4 pattern that Justapicker taught me (T, 3, T, 1, T, 2, T, 1).

I really like the sound of your TAB examples, Jeri. Thanks for going to all that trouble -- they look so purty! And thank you Don and Giac -- your patterns are going to be fun playing with, definitely.

And thanks, khandu, even though you 'hate' to fingerpick waltzes, for your suggestion. Since I mostly play to accompany myself singing, I 'have' to fingerpick my 3/4 songs. And I usually write in 3/4 time, so I do a lot of 'waltz-picking' ;-)

If anyone has any more ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks everyone, Áine

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 May 02 - 02:20 PM

Aine, I'm learning mostly based on what Rick Fielding's shown me and farting around. Ain't got no books yet. (Well - I DID buy one DADGAD book, but haven't done much with it.) I occasionally come up with original (or just weird) ways of playing, but may completely miss the basics. One of the hazards of being self-taught is the gaps in knowledge you wind up with. At least unless you're more systematic than I am.

Thanks - I'll try the JustaPicker-Pattern. If JustaPicker picked a load of licks, how many licks could JustaPicker pick?

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Áine
Date: 27 May 02 - 12:11 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Genie
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 12:43 AM

Áine, back when I was a novice at the guitar, I devised a 3/4 time fingerpicking pattern that consisted of the following (if we number the fingers T-1-2-3-4):

pinch (T &2), 1, 3, 2, 3.

I moved the pinch and the other finger strokes up and down (from strings 6 thru 3, to 5 thru 2, to 4 thru 1) and back. I would embellish with a thumbpick bass sting run PRN.

As I developed other strumming and picking styles, I sort of lost this one, but I used to be quite proficient at it, and I can still reconstruct it with practice.

Genie

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST,Barry T
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 02:03 PM

A book I'd recommend is Abe & Malka's 100 Guitar Accompaniments. The entire book is about finger-picking patterns.

I picked up my copy in a second hand bookstore, but I see that it's readily available from Amazon and other retailers for about $22 US. Reviewer ratings appear to be high. It provides the patterns in standard notation and guitar tablature. I believe the current editions are sold with a CD.

I found it particularly valuable because it gives me ideas for adapting their patterns to my own style (and musical limitations).

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: van lingle
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 02:25 PM

Hi Aine, when I play Shebeg and Shemore in C in standard tuning in 3/4 it sounds more like a standard waltz than when played in Dsus (the way I do it, anyway). I use a kind of rolling pattern with my thumb and index that mostly goes T,T,I on the lower strings for the accompaniment which gives it an arpeggiated sound which is not strictly adhered to and is often just suggested. I'll play the melody with my middle and ring fingers but there are exceptions to that as well because the melody occasionally creeps onto the lower strings. Good luck,vl

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Áine
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 03:59 PM

Thanks guys!

Barry, that book looks excellent. Thank you for suggesting it.

VL - your approach suggests Richard Thompson's playing to me. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: van lingle
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 07:15 AM

You're right, Aine. That is very much like Thompson's approach on How Will I Ever be Simple Again. I put together my version of Shebeg by trying to imitate the band sound of Planxty but it does smack of RT's style. vl

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 03:36 PM

CKF

I'm glad to see I'm not alone searching for an entertaining and interesting 3/4 time tab. So far, nothing I haven't seen. I'll keep looking and get back to you.

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Oct 10 - 05:34 PM

the ripple, T THEN HALF BEATS 32123, six quavers or halfbeats.
or pinch 5 and 2 together then play 3, pinch 4 and 1 together then play 3 pinch 5 and 2 together then play 3, rhythym 1 and 2 and 3and. it does have aname but I CANT recall it, its good for playing in c.

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 10:44 AM

Love all the beautifully detailed suggestions: I second the "Guest" before me!

Thanks to all, tho' they're arriving several years after the fact, that's kinda cool, too :)

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: The Sandman
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 12:25 PM

try the fingerpicking ripple, t[5string]index3, middle 2ring 1, middle2index 3, playing six halfbeats or quavers, thumb goes down fingers up,
here is a good one with a plectrum, down 5up3, down 2, up 1, down 2, up 3, six half beats or quavers, the fifth string can be subbed to a 6 for a g chord or an e chord or an a chord. here is another good finger picking one., but more difficultpluck 5 and 2 simultaneously, then 3, then pluck5 and1 simultaneously, then pick 2, then 5 and 2 simultaneously then 3, so you are plucking on every beat, and playing a half beat or quaver in between.
the bass string with the thunb doesnot have to be 5 but can be 6 or 4

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST,Stan
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 04:13 PM

Here are 3 examples of picking 3/4 time. All on a G chord.
Count 1 + 2 + 3 +

First 1 thumb note


E|-------3-----|
B|-----0---0---|
G|---0-------0-|
D|-------------|
A|-------------|
E|-3-----------|

2 thumb picks on 1st and 3rd beat

E|---------3---|
B|-----0-------|
G|---0---0---0-|
D|---------0---|
A|-------------|
E|-3-----------|

Thumb picks on all three beats.

E|-------------|
B|-----0---0---|
G|---0---0---0-|
D|-----0---0---|
A|-------------|
E|-3-----------|

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 15 - 02:30 PM

What is the pick that John Denver uses in A Song for All Lovers?

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Nov 15 - 05:43 PM

thanks guest stan that is useful

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST,Rick
Date: 08 Nov 15 - 01:55 PM

John Denver uses this pick in A Song for All Lovers:

T p 1 2 1 2 T p 1 2 1 2

Check it out, it really beautiful:

A Song for All Lovers

Here's another:

T 1 2 1 T 2 T 1 2 1 T 2

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Nov 15 - 02:20 PM

E|-------------|
B|-----0---0---|
G|---0---0---0-|
D|-----0---0---|
A|-------------|
E|-3-----------| this pick, is very good, if the finger frets 3 on the b string, as an alternative to 0, thus providing a picked power chord first and fifth

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 09 Nov 15 - 10:57 AM

Starting from GSS's pattern, listen to Ralph McTell's Maginot Waltz

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: PHJim
Date: 09 Nov 15 - 12:31 PM

________R_____R_____
________M_____M_____
_____I_____I_____I__
____________________
__T_________________
____________________


I almost typed B for "bird" instead of M for "middle".

I believe Peggy Seeger calls this the "Lullaby Lick"

Subject: RE: 3/4 Fingerpicking Patterns - Suggestions?
From: Peter Butler
Date: 11 Nov 15 - 05:42 AM

Here's a video I made of a song in 3/4 which might offer some ideas:
Fresh as a Sweet Sunday Morning